SS Cloud Live...ish JUNE 1-14

[highplanesdrifters]

Vaeroy, Lofoton. Norway

Sleepy Fishing village at the southern tip of Lofoton. We went on the History Walk and quickly peeled off for a free roam when we realized it was an amble with very little history. Clocked in about 5 miles about the town.  It was cloudy, drizzling but still lovely . I enjoy getting a peek into lives very different than mine. Before we peeled off from our young guide (18?) we learned that many of the children 12-18 make money by cutting out Cod tongues. Who knew? She told us it was a town more suited to older people and couldn't wait to start traveling.

Cod racks. They dry for 3-6 months depending on who you ask.

 

 

Directions

 

 

House of the Fishing fleet owner

Cod, Cod, and more cod.

Fishing museum.

A little too early.

 

 

A very Hip and Groovy town.  Only 750 people and Fever Tree in the recycle bin.

 

[cruiseej]

On 6/10/2022 at 7:41 PM, jimdee3636 said:

@highplanesdrifters

You said something earlier about "luxury exploration ships" providing waterproof boots to all guests for possible wet landings on Zodiacs, but I wasn't sure you meant that Silversea provides such boots on the Cloud. Can you please clarify this? My wife and I are booked for a Greenland-intensive Cloud sailing in September of 2023, and all the Greenland landings are via Zodiacs.

Thanks.

Jim

 

Jim, we did a Silver Cloud cruise to Greenland (from Iceland) pre-Covid. (So I don't know if anything has changed.) They didn't provide the boots for free; you could rent them or bring your own. We decided that since Antartica was on our near-future list, we'd buy our boots to make sure we had ones which fit (I wear a 13W and didn't want to chance not having boots which fit well) and which we'd be able to use at least a second time. But they are a challenge to pack, so I understand why many people choose to rent them. 

[jimdee3636]

@cruiseej

Thanks for this information. If they're still renting them out when our Greenland cruise sails we'll rent them and be done with it. I normally wear size 10 or 10 1/2 shoes, so they should have ones that fit. And I know I'd never use them again, so why buy them and have all the packing headaches?

 

By the way, our cruise also begins in Reykjavik, has six Zodiac stops in Greenland, and continues on to several ports in Atlantic Canada before ending in Halifax. I'm not sure if that's the same itinerary as the one you did, but it sounds exciting!

 

Thanks again.

 

Jim

[cruiseej]

@jimdee3636 The cruise we did started in Reykjavik and cruised around the southern portion of Greenland. We ended in Kangerlussuaq. There was another segment which sailed farther up the west coast of Greenland and then crossed over to Canada and sailed south back along the Canadian side of Baffin Bay, and we were really sorry we didn't have the time or budget to do that second segment. We hope to go back in the future.

 

Due to the oddities of the Silversea website (sigh!), I can't locate your cruise. But I think I can figure it out based on the 38 day Kangerlussuaq to Fort Lauderdale cruise, of which what you describe appears to be a 15-day segment (Sept 8-20) in the middle. Your Greenland portion is the same as our cruise, we turned north from the Southern tip of Greenland, where you head west over to Canada. If my memory is correct, only one of the excursions was a wet landing, as most of the small towns you'll visit have small docks where the zodiacs pull in and let you off on dry land. So you sort of do need the boots, but you won't really use them much. 😉

[jimdee3636]

@cruiseej

Yes, September 8-20, 2023 are the dates. 

 

It's good to know that most of the landings in Greenland will be "dry" ones. I'll be 76 at the time of this cruise. I can hike on dry land for hours (I do it here in the mountains of Arizona all the time), but I don't relish slogging through water up to my knees with a pack on my back!

[cruiseej]

2 hours ago, jimdee3636 said:

t's good to know that most of the landings in Greenland will be "dry" ones. I'll be 76 at the time of this cruise. I can hike on dry land for hours (I do it here in the mountains of Arizona all the time), but I don't relish slogging through water up to my knees with a pack on my back!

 

The wet landing I recall was on a gravel beach, and we were only in water up slightly above our ankles. The zodiac drivers and expedition crew are very good at getting you ashore; they will assist you stepping out of the zodiac and taking the couple of steps to dry land.

[highplanesdrifters]

Harstad, Norway 

After a few too many glasses of wine last night, woke up to this. 🤣Not the prettiest sight. Some hiking excursions canceled. Can we hit the rewind button please.

Don't worry, I'll backtrack and fill in the good bits.

[highplanesdrifters]

10 hours ago, jimdee3636 said:

@cruiseej

Yes, September 8-20, 2023 are the dates. 

 

It's good to know that most of the landings in Greenland will be "dry" ones. I'll be 76 at the time of this cruise. I can hike on dry land for hours (I do it here in the mountains of Arizona all the time), but I don't relish slogging through water up to my knees with a pack on my back!

As always @cruiseejgets it right. And at least you won't have to worry about snakes!

 

We've done some of the lower east side of Greenland and are headed to Scoresby sound in August. We are planning on doing the west side at some point. Anyone have any comparisons?

[highplanesdrifters]

Reine to Leknes, Lofoton Islands, Norway

Lofoton steals my heart every time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

Trollfjorden

The famous mini fjord. The cruise ship sails through so close you can almost touch the steep granite cliffs. We overslept and woke up halfway in.🤣

It was a bit cloudy and not all of her beauty was revealed, but sill amazing.  Fortunately we had done a Zodiac cruise through on a precious visit so we didn't feel too bad .

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lincslady]

The Trollfjord is one of those special experiences.  We were lucky enough to do it in the late afternoon/early cocktail hour  on our cruise (with another line),  so were  all either in the forward lounge bar with huge windows, or out on deck.

 

Lola

[highplanesdrifters]

3 hours ago, lincslady said:

The Trollfjord is one of those special experiences.  We were lucky enough to do it in the late afternoon/early cocktail hour  on our cruise (with another line),  so were  all either in the forward lounge bar with huge windows, or out on deck.

 

Lola

It truly is special.  Sounds like you hit it with perfect timing.  Last time on Seabourn we did it in zodiacs. They popped Champagne as we reached the end and the Quest joined us. Magical.

[highplanesdrifters]

Narvik, Norway

Well.......the town is a tad tired. We did our best to enjoy. We booked too late to get a spot on the famous Ofto train to the Swedish border Famous for its iron ore, and the reason for the towns existence Strategic during WWll.  Those that went loved it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mysty]

Just now, highplanesdrifters said:

Narvik, Norway

Well.......the town is a tad tired. We did our best to enjoy. We booked too late to get a spot on the famous Ofto train to the Swedish border Famous for its iron ore, and the reason for the towns existence Strategic during WWll.  Those that went loved it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spectacular pics High! 

[highplanesdrifters]

The Lofoten Wall

This massive wall rises steeply from the waters of Vestfjorden. It is the spine of Lofoten.

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

31 minutes ago, mysty said:

Spectacular pics High! 

Egads M meant to leave you Sun in Alesund not an avalanche!  Wish our paths were closer!

[lincslady]

Hi High - we were on one of the Seabourn Odyssey class ships, but they didn't offer a zodiac trip that time.  That sounds really great,  though being a bit on the old side even then I don't think we would have indulged.  We did of course have champagne, but in the Observation Bar. 

 

Your photos are excellent, and bring good memories back.  Thanks.

 

Lola

[highplanesdrifters]

2 hours ago, lincslady said:

Hi High - we were on one of the Seabourn Odyssey class ships, but they didn't offer a zodiac trip that time.  That sounds really great,  though being a bit on the old side even then I don't think we would have indulged.  We did of course have champagne, but in the Observation Bar. 

 

Your photos are excellent, and bring good memories back.  Thanks.

 

Lola

Ahhh... Suffering through in the Observation bar, 😉 one of my favorite places! Glad you are enjoying.

[highplanesdrifters]

Harstad, Norway

One of the larger cities in Northern Norway. Grey with low clouds. We did a quick tour of a museum and historical church. An OK bus tour. 

The walls were 5 feet thick.

 

 

 

We were told this is a spectacular view.🤣

[highplanesdrifters]

Sundsvollsundet, Norway

Kittiwakes for days. Sound On!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

Tromso, Norway

Gateway to the Arctic.

Should you find yourself here make sure to check out The Polar Museum. Silversea provided us with a bus transfer to the airport and mini tour. The highlight was the northern most Botanical Gardens. Driving around the hospital,  not so much. Flight was uneventful and we are now at the Raddison Blu Oslo Airport. Silversea on the ground here have been fantastic. Someone to help every step of the way. Check in a breeze.

 

Hard to belive this color is real.

 

 

Pop Up Passport control.

Thanks for the great ride SS Cloud.

Edited June 14, 2022 by highplanesdrifters
Sp

[mysty]

Thanks for your awesome colour commentary High!  Safe travels home!

[highplanesdrifters]

2 hours ago, mysty said:

Thanks for your awesome colour commentary High!  Safe travels home!

Thanks M, wishing you calm seas (you deserve it) and plenty of sunshine for the rest of your voyage.

[highplanesdrifters]

FOOD

Chef Pia

I thought Chef Pia and her team deserved a separate post for the fantastic job they did. Everyone on board we encountered agreed with this assessment. One rarely noticed that staff was short handed.  All were working tirelessly.  The trip started out a little bland but then someone flipped a switch. We found our groove in the MDR and mostly ate there. The daily  MDR "taste of" offerings were always interesting and well seasoned. The main menu also had regular changes with interesting offerings.  We prefer things spicy and ethnic with a little comfort food thrown in. I often went for the vegetarian offerings which were superb.  But when I dipped into steak and burger land they too were bang on.   Daily soup offerings were another highlight. Lovie would often pop down to the 11a.m. soup station by the pool.  We had no trouble swilling back the included wines which were varied and delicious. Who knew that the best pecan pie I have ever eaten would be on a ship in the middle of a Norwegian fjord. It was a special order by one our our dinner mates. Chef and team also bent over backwards with special orders and tweaks to meals. Sorry about the lack of food porn photos, perhaps next time. This may have been the best cruise food we have ever had. 

Edited June 16, 2022 by highplanesdrifters
Add on

[highplanesdrifters]

My Sad attempts at Food Porn

German day at the Pool Grill. Chef Pia is German.😉

Asian salad with spicy peanut sauce

Canapés

 

Cesar salad.  I told you it was a patheric attempt!